Graphical Abstract Highlights d Adipocyte DPP4 contributes to circulating sDPP4, but not to glucose homeostasis d Hepatocyte DPP4 contributes to its circulating activity and hepatic/adipose inflammation d Circulating, soluble DPP4 is markedly induced by systemic DPP4 enzymatic inhibition d DPP4 activity and sDPP4 levels do not correlate with extent of metabolic inflammation

Pharmacological inhibition of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) enzyme potentiates incretin action and is widely used to treat type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, the precise cells and tissues critical for incretin degradation and glucose homeostasis remain unknown. Here, we use mouse genetics and pharmacologic DPP4 inhibition to identify DPP4 cell types essential for incretin action. Although enterocyte DPP4 accounted for substantial intestinal DPP4 activity, ablation of enterocyte DPP4 in Dpp4 mice did not produce alterations in plasma DPP4 activity, incretin hormone levels, and glucose tolerance. In contrast, endothelial cell (EC)-derived DPP4 contributed substantially to levels of soluble plasma DPP4 activity, incretin degradation, and glucose control. Surprisingly, DPP4 cells of bone marrow origin mediated the selective degradation of fasting GIP, but not GLP-1. Collectively, these findings identify distinct roles for DPP4 in the EC versus the bone marrow compartment for selective incretin degradation and DPP4i-mediated glucoregulation.

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Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), secreted from enteroendocrine cells, attenuates gut motility, enhances barrier function, and augments nutrient absorption, actions mediated by a single GLP-2 receptor (GLP-2R). Despite extensive analyses, the precise distribution and cellular localization of GLP-2R expression remains controversial, confounded by the lack of suitable GLP-2R antisera. Here, we reassessed murine Glp2r expression using regular and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), in situ hybridization (ISH), and a Glp2rLacZ reporter mouse. Glp2r mRNA expression was detected from the stomach to the rectum and most abundant in the jejunum. Glp2r transcripts were also detected in cerebral cortex, mesenteric lymph nodes, gallbladder, urinary bladder, and mesenteric fat. Surprisingly, Glp2r mRNA was found in testis by qPCR at levels similar to jejunum. However, the testis Glp2r transcripts, detected by different primer pairs and qPCR, lacked 5′ mRNA coding sequences, and only a minute proportion of them corresponded to full-length Glp2r mRNA. Within the gut, Glp2r-driven LacZ expression was localized to enteric neurons and lamina propria stromal cells, findings confirmed by ISH analysis of the endogenous Glp2r mRNA. Unexpectedly, vascular Glp2rLacZ expression was localized to mesenteric veins and not arteries. Moreover, mesenteric fat Glp2rLacZ expression was detected within blood vessels and not adipocytes. Reporter LacZ expression was not detected in all tissues expressing an endogenous Glp2r transcript, such as gallbladder, urinary bladder, and mesenteric lymph nodes. Collectively, these findings extend our understanding of the cellular domains of Glp2r expression and highlight limitations inherent in application of commonly used technologies to infer analysis of gene expression.

ObjectiveGlucagon-like peptides (GLPs) are secreted from enteroendocrine cells in response to nutrients and bile acids and control metabolism via actions on structurally-related yet distinct G protein coupled receptors. GLP-1 regulates gut motility, appetite, islet function, and glucose homeostasis, whereas GLP-2 enhances intestinal nutrient absorption. GLP-1R agonists are used to treat diabetes and obesity, and a GLP-2R agonist is approved to treat short bowel syndrome. Unexpectedly, reports of gallbladder disease have been associated with the use of both GLP-1R and GLP-2R agonists and after bariatric surgery, although the mechanisms remain unknown.MethodsWe investigated whether GLP-1 or GLP-2 acutely controls gallbladder (GB) volume and whether GLP-2 regulates GB muscle activity in mice. The expression of Tgr5, Glp2r, and Glp1r was assessed in mouse GB, and the effects of GLP-2 on hepatic bile acid (BA) flow, intestinal and liver BA uptake, and GB gene expression were determined. GLP-2 regulation of GB volume was assessed in wildtype, Glp2r−/− and Tgr5−/− mice. The effect of GLP-2 on GB smooth muscle (GBSM) calcium transients was characterized ex vivo.ResultsAcute administration of the GLP-1R agonist exendin-4 lowered glucose but had no effect on GB volume in mice. In contrast, GLP-2 rapidly enhanced GB filling in a dose-dependent manner, actions maintained in the presence of cholecystokinin, and mediated through the canonical GLP-2R. GLP-2 also rapidly induced immediate early gene expression in GB, consistent with detection of the endogenous Glp2r in GB RNA. The ability of GLP-2 to increase GB volume was not abrogated by systemic administration of hexamethonium, propranolol, a vasoactive peptide receptor antagonist or N-Nitroarginine methyl ester, and was maintained in Tgr5−/− mice. In contrast, lithocholic acid, a Tgr5 agonist, increased GB filling in Glp2r−/− but not in Tgr5−/− mice. GLP-2 had no effect on ileal uptake or hepatic clearance of taurocholic acid or on hepatic bile flow, yet reduced the frequency of spontaneous calcium transients in murine GBSM ex vivo, in a tetrodotoxin-sensitive manner.ConclusionsOur data extend endocrine concepts of regulation of GB filling beyond FXR-FGF15/19 and the direct effects of BA via Tgr5, to encompass a novel BA-Tgr5-L cell GLP-2 axis providing nutrient-mediated feedback from BA to terminate meal-related GB contraction. These findings have implications for conditions characterized by elevated circulating levels of GLP-2 such as after bariatric surgery and the development and use of agents that promote Tgr5 activation, L cell secretion, or GLP-2R agonism for the treatment of metabolic disease.

ObjectiveTherapeutic interventions that improve glucose homeostasis such as attenuation of glucagon receptor (Gcgr) signaling and bariatric surgery share common metabolic features conserved in mice and humans. These include increased circulating levels of bile acids (BA) and the proglucagon-derived peptides (PGDPs), GLP-1 and GLP-2. Whether BA acting through TGR5 (Gpbar1) increases PGDP levels in these scenarios has not been examined. Furthermore, although the importance of GLP-1 action has been interrogated in Gcgr−/− mice and after bariatric surgery, whether GLP-2 contributes to the metabolic benefits of these interventions is not known.MethodsTo assess whether BA acting through Gpbar1 mediates improved glucose homeostasis in Gcgr−/− mice we generated and characterized Gcgr−/−:Gpbar1−/− mice. The contribution of GLP-2 receptor (GLP-2R) signaling to intestinal and metabolic adaptation arising following loss of the Gcgr was studied in Gcgr−/−:Glp2r−/− mice. The role of the GLP-2R in the metabolic improvements evident after bariatric surgery was studied in high fat-fed Glp2r−/− mice subjected to vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG).ResultsCirculating levels of BA were markedly elevated yet similar in Gcgr−/−:Gpbar1+/+ vs. Gcgr−/−:Gpbar1−/− mice. Loss of GLP-2R lowered levels of BA in Gcgr−/− mice. Gcgr−/−:Glp2r−/− mice also exhibited shifts in the proportion of circulating BA species. Loss of Gpbar1 did not impact body weight, intestinal mass, or glucose homeostasis in Gcgr−/− mice. In contrast, small bowel growth was attenuated in Gcgr−/−:Glp2r−/− mice. The improvement in glucose tolerance, elevated circulating levels of GLP-1, and glucose-stimulated insulin levels were not different in Gcgr−/−:Glp2r+/+ vs. Gcgr−/−:Glp2r−/− mice. Similarly, loss of the GLP-2R did not attenuate the extent of weight loss and improvement in glucose control after VSG.ConclusionsThese findings reveal that GLP-2R controls BA levels and relative proportions of BA species in Gcgr−/− mice. Nevertheless, the GLP-2R is not essential for i) control of body weight or glucose homeostasis in Gcgr−/− mice or ii) metabolic improvements arising after VSG in high fat-fed mice. Furthermore, despite elevations of circulating levels of BA, Gpbar1 does not mediate elevated levels of PGDPs or major metabolic phenotypes in Gcgr−/− mice. Collectively these findings refine our understanding of the relationship between Gpbar1, elevated levels of BA, PGDPs, and the GLP-2R in amelioration of metabolic derangements arising following loss of Gcgr signaling or after vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

ObjectiveGlucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is co-secreted with GLP-1 from gut endocrine cells, and both peptides act as growth factors to expand the surface area of the mucosal epithelium. Notably, GLP-2 also enhances glucose and lipid transport in enterocytes; however, its actions on control of amino acid (AA) transport remain unclear. Here we examined the mechanisms linking gain and loss of GLP-2 receptor (GLP-2R) signaling to control of intestinal amino acid absorption in mice.MethodsAbsorption, transport, and clearance of essential AAs, specifically lysine, were measured in vivo by Liquid Chromatography triple quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and ex vivo with Ussing chambers using intestinal preparations from Glp2r+/+ and Glp2r−/− mice. Immunoblotting determined jejunal levels of protein components of signaling pathways (PI3K-AKT, and mTORC1-pS6-p4E-BP1) following administration of GLP-2, protein gavage, and rapamycin to fasted Glp2r+/+ and Glp2r−/− mice. Expression of AA transporters from full thickness jejunum and 4F2hc from brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) was measured by real-time PCR and immunoblotting, respectively.ResultsAcute administration of GLP-2 increased basal AA absorption in vivo and augmented basal lysine transport ex vivo. GLP-2-stimulated lysine transport was attenuated by co-incubation with wortmannin, rapamycin, or tetrodotoxin ex vivo. Phosphorylation of mTORC1 effector proteins S6 and 4E-BP1 was significantly increased in wild-type mice in response to GLP-2 alone, or when co-administered with protein gavage, and abolished following oral gavage of rapamycin. In contrast, activation of GLP-1R signaling did not enhance S6 phosphorylation. Disruption of GLP-2 action in Glp2r−/− mice reduced lysine transport ex vivo and attenuated the phosphorylation of S6 and 4E-BP1 in response to oral protein. Moreover, the expression of cationic AA transporter slc7a9 in response to refeeding, and the abundance of 4F2hc in BBMVs following protein gavage, was significantly attenuated in Glp2r−/− mice.ConclusionsThese findings reveal an important role for GLP-2R signaling in the physiological and pharmacological control of enteral amino acid sensing and assimilation, defining an enteroendocrine cell-enterocyte axis for optimal energy absorption.

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